Hudson Valley NY *chat thread*

[Serenity Lane]

I tried to get some pictures but they came out horrible.. I'll try again tomorrow.
Everyone is settling in and doing good.. The Jersey Giants (re-named Bonnie and Clyde) are out in the coop and the 13 little guys are in a brooder in my garage. There's one little one that's not quite right but still seems to be doing okay. We'll see..

 

[Brznwench]

I tried to get some pictures but they came out horrible.. I'll try again tomorrow.
Everyone is settling in and doing good.. The Jersey Giants (re-named Bonnie and Clyde) are out in the coop and the 13 little guys are in a brooder in my garage. There's one little one that's not quite right but still seems to be doing okay. We'll see..

I like the new names. Have you heard Clide crow yet? Hope your sick chicklet gets better.

Wish I could come to the show today but packing for a trip tomorrow. Cruising to bermuda from NY. Since the rooster is gone it seems now that my feisty hen is establishing dominance by picking the feathers from my sweet nugget. We went thru this when they were still in the brooder and I sewed an apron for her but this time she is a bit bloody. I put some duct tape over the bald spot but just concerned with this new twist. Our "baby sitter" is not a chicken person and will only be feeding and watering. Will the tape be okay for a week or should I quickly make another apron?

Barb

 

[LSzajko]

I tried to get some pictures but they came out horrible.. I'll try again tomorrow.
Everyone is settling in and doing good.. The Jersey Giants (re-named Bonnie and Clyde) are out in the coop and the 13 little guys are in a brooder in my garage. There's one little one that's not quite right but still seems to be doing okay. We'll see..

Is it the black one who kept to himself a little?

 

[BarnMom719]

Good morning everyone. My little chicks are doing great so far. They recognize me as the treat momma. They all come running. They're still in a brooder cage (modified dog cage with 2 roosting poles). They were so proud of themselves when they figured out the poles. They kept going up and down practicing.

My question is this....what else should I be doing with them? Should I take them outside? They want to "get out" sometimes. Yesterday I was changing the water and Ophelia, my little barred rock got out and ran around the dining room table.quite comical as she stared at the cage like how do I get back in? When will they be ready to live in the coop? I don't want to domesticate them too much in the house that they won't live out there....know what I mean? They're 3.5 weeks old. No lamp...didn't use at all since I brought them home a week ago. They had just removed the lamp at the store.

Also, they coop should be ready to go by the end of today. I would also like to get some ready to lay birds. Where can I get some? And should I wait til my babies are about the same same size to incorporate them?

 

[JerseyHen]

I like the new names. Have you heard Clide crow yet? Hope your sick chicklet gets better.

Wish I could come to the show today but packing for a trip tomorrow. Cruising to bermuda from NY. Since the rooster is gone it seems now that my feisty hen is establishing dominance by picking the feathers from my sweet nugget. We went thru this when they were still in the brooder and I sewed an apron for her but this time she is a bit bloody. I put some duct tape over the bald spot but just concerned with this new twist. Our "baby sitter" is not a chicken person and will only be feeding and watering. Will the tape be okay for a week or should I quickly make another apron?

Barb

The way i read this the duct tape is directly on the chicken? I don't think duct tape is a good idea. The adhesive can be extremely irritating to the skin. In fact, it can be used to create enough irritation to entice the immune system to infiltrate the area (i know people who have removed plantar warts with duct tape that way). Forgive me if i misread though. I would cover the wound with blucote and some external protection. Headhens can be very aggressive, especially when a new pecking order its being established. It should pass though.

 

[Brznwench]

Make shift hen saddle out of duct tape. Sorry for not clarifying. I whipped up a new saddle out of denim and elastic hair ties this morning. Double strap this time as the single one she wore at 6 weeks she managed to get a wing free a couple times. She seems fine and happy now and the queen biatch is giving it those sideways stink eye looks. Just made their Saturday treat. Chunked apples with peanut butter, meal worms and happy hen treats. Feel the love!

 

[Serenity Lane]

Is it the black one who kept to himself a little?

Yes, that's the one. He doesn't appear to be unhealthy, more like unsociable.

 

[Serenity Lane]

I like the new names. Have you heard Clide crow yet? Hope your sick chicklet gets better.

Wish I could come to the show today but packing for a trip tomorrow. Cruising to bermuda from NY. Since the rooster is gone it seems now that my feisty hen is establishing dominance by picking the feathers from my sweet nugget. We went thru this when they were still in the brooder and I sewed an apron for her but this time she is a bit bloody. I put some duct tape over the bald spot but just concerned with this new twist. Our "baby sitter" is not a chicken person and will only be feeding and watering. Will the tape be okay for a week or should I quickly make another apron?

Barb

Here are Bonnie and Clyde..

He's cute. He was crowing this morning.. He sounded more like a low tone kazoo than a rooster. But I like it because the sound doesn't seem to carry as far. I don't think my neighbors could hear him. Not that it matters either way, it just makes me feel better. I assume as he ages he will crow louder but I still think the low tone will be good.

 

[Brznwench]

Barnmom: The fella that built my coop for me asked if I wanted some layers. He is in cornwall. If serious I can check with him for you.

 

[Serenity Lane]